motife
09-30-2007, 05:29 PM
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Q: Jonathan of Chicago - I'm have the same unease as others about the inability to run the ball, but I'm sure impressed at how when disaster strikes, or the game is on the line, or both, how this team just does what has to be done to close it up. It's uncanny, and I think calling it just luck would not be accurate.
A: Greg Bedard - Ding, ding, ding! Jonathan hit the nail on the head. Complain all you want about the weaknesses on this team -- and there are definitely some -- but this team makes up for it with grit and resiliency. That's what championship teams have more than any statistic you can throw out there.
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Q: Mike of Goshen, IN - Donald Lee appeared to be down on that fumble in the second quarter. Yet the replay showed his knee on top of Sharper's knee. Therefore he wasn't down and the fumble call was correct. In the blog, you say it wasn't a fumble. do you know the official rule? Was he down or not?
A: Greg Bedard - The TVs weren't in good positions in this press box, so I wasn't able to really study the play. But what I saw was Lee's knee being down. If it was on Sharpers' leg, then Lee was not down. I'm just telling you what I saw, but I'm not sitting right in front of a TV so I may have been wrong.
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Q: kwed of dubuque - Greg, If both teams had brett favre today, who wins?
A: Greg Bedard - Oooh, that's a really good question. I'd have to take the Packers because Mike McCarthy is head and shoulders better than Brad Childress.
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Q: Dennis Palzkill of Madison - Greg: Any explanation for the gift Brad Childress kept giving Packer fans by keeping Adrian Peterson on the sideline so much?
A: Greg Bedard - He didn't give a good one after the game, I can tell you that. I still can't believe that decision.
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Q: Andy Newbold of st. louis - Greg, As much as ive liked seeing Grant get in the mix this season . That fumble was huge today and it was obvious he made a high school mistake grabbing for the ball. Did he rotate himself out of the mix with that mistake when Jackson comes back from his "injury" next week?
A: Greg Bedard - No way. This coaching staff loves Grant.
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Q: John of Newport Beach, Ca - I think Bob McGinn deserves a lot of respect for having the guts, before the opener, to predict what all the pundits thought was absurd: GB passing the Bears and winning the NFC North. Did everyone on your staff think he was crazy? Its worth noting that at around the same time McGinn was writing that, Peter King was writing that McGinn was one of the best beat reporters in the country. Congratulations to the GBP and the Journal Sentinel for feilding a couple of terrific teams.
A: Greg Bedard - Bob is no doubt one of the best in the business. He's one of the reasons why I moved my family up here. I don't think anybody thought he was crazy... maybe I did when he wrote this week that the Packers should go at least 12-5 and could be 14-2. I think it's just that I've covered the AFC for so long. I've seen a lot more talented teams than this miss the playoffs altogether in the AFC. Obviously the NFC is not as good. I didn't realize the talent disparity is this wide, but it is.
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Q: scottyb460 of tucson arizona - what a great victory for the cheeseheads, greg, it seems the defense tends to get soft once they get a touchdown or more lead, do they go into an entirely different scheme or is it by design?
A: Greg Bedard - The calls aren't any different, so I think it's on the players. Maybe they're relaxing too much. But let's be honest here, the Packers held the Vikings without a touchdown until garbage time. You can't complain about that.
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Q: Jesse of Atlanta - Greg, I think the packers have uncovered a gem in Atari Bibgy. What an upgrade from last year. What is wrong with Nick Collins injury wise? Should he have been out there in the 2nd half?
A: Greg Bedard - Nick is one that I didn't see in the locker room, so he must have needed a lot of attention. I'd keep an eye on that one this week. Of course he should have been out there. If he can play, why not? I would be very scared to put Aaron Rouse, a rookie who hasn't even been active yet, on the field in a crucial situation. Collins obviously did fine.
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Q: Craig Danula of Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota - Another Win. Congratulations Brett! Do you think the Packers will consider giving Will Blackmon a shot at being the 3rd CB after another iffy week by Jarrett Bush? And why was Ryan Grant in at the end?
A: Greg Bedard - I think they should look at Blackmon again, but I don't know how much the coaching staff views his thumb as a liability. Obviously he dropped an INT today. But at least he was in position for one, compared to, say, Jarrett Bush. I'm sure the coaches felt most comfortable with Grant over Wynn or Morency. The bottom line is there shouldn't have been a handoff there.
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Q: Michael of Los Angeles - Wow. Thompson actually showed some emotion? I didn't know he had it in him. But I guess if I'd been criticized nonstop for the past 3 years I'd get pretty excited about 4-0 too. Any grumblings from the Vikings side about the display?
A: Greg Bedard - I don't think so because like I said before, it's very, very loud in the press box. So it's really just a small area that would have heard him. Me and the rest of the JS team was right in front of the Packers' brass so it was a little annoying.
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Q: Mark of Green Bay - Nice to see Robert Ferguson is an integral part of the Viking offense! But, it looks as though he did get through the game uninjured! Is there a worse set of receivers in the NFL?
A: Greg Bedard - Wade and Rice have some nice skills. The problem is really with the guy getting them the ball, in this case Holcomb. Not very good today.
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Q: Jesse of Atlanta - Whew. Tough win. Aside from Jon Ryan's 4th down rush, special teams were not that special. I have a little problem with the way Morency is so loose with the ball. And Grant's mistake is inexcusable. Did any of the backs look like they played well to you?
A: Greg Bedard - Way too early to make a judgement on Morency. He hasn't played in a long, long time. The Vikings are the No. 2 team against the run. Nobody was going to do well today.
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Q: Scott Mitchell of Toronto, Ontario - Greg, They say it's better to be lucky than good, well, after seeing that game today, I can't help but thank muy lucky stars that Brad Childress never left Minneapolis for his interview in Green Bay. That coaching display was Infantesque. That Peterson left the game at all in the second half is simply mind-boggling. Your thoughts?
A: Greg Bedard - You read my mind. Childress isn't one of the smarter guys as far as game coaching. I mean, to challenge the spot of Jones' catch was just dumb. I know you were mad you couldn't challenge the Hall play (and while I think the call was ultimately right, the Vikings should have been able to challenge that play) don't let it get to you to the point that you cost your team a timeout.
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Q: James of Grand Forks, ND - Should Bush and Grant chip in and hire a moving van together on their way out of town, or will it be cheaper to hire one on their own? At least we hung on for the win, though.
A: Greg Bedard - That's much to rough on Grant, especially. I put the blame for Grant's fumble solely on McCarthy. Take a knee for crying out loud.
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Q: Ben Newton of Dallas, Texas - How do we rank against the Patriots, Colts, Cowboys, and Lions???? Are we for real without a running game???
A: Greg Bedard - I'm not sure yet. I need to let this game digest for a little bit before I can "crown" anybody in the words of Dennis Green. The Packers are good, no doubt. Very good. I can't wait for that matchup with Dallas, however.
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Q: Brendan of Eindhoven, Netherlands - Greg, I saw in your blog a comment about Ted Thompson cheering his team in the pressbox. I have to ask why he is sitting in the pressbox? I would expect that the opponent ownership/management would have access to their own box. You may have to remain unbiased, but I expect TT to have passion for this team.
A: Greg Bedard - That happens at some places, about half the time I would guess. Most of the time it isn't an issue because the press box is quiet behind glass. But at the Metrodome, the press box is open so we hear everything. I guess that got Teddy in the mood a little bit. But the bottom line is there are rules against cheering in the press box -- it's a place where work is being done -- and you can be kicked out for violating those rules. I don't mind the occasional, 'Oh man,' or "That was a foul," but out and out clapping and screaming is a big no, no. I'm guessing that the Vikes didn't make a box available and/or the Packers didn't want to pay for one. But they should be in a box, you're right about that.
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Q: Rich of Slinger - Good win today. My question is: doesn't anyone spellcheck the player jerseys? Somebody in Green Bay misspelled "Toast" on the back of #24.
A: Greg Bedard - That's a good one. If not that, somebody needs to take the bullseye off Bush's back because he has a huge one on there.
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Q: James of Sacramento - Greg, was the porous run defense more a product of a stellar run-blocking effort and a stud rookie back or were the Packers over-matched today on the ground? I hate to admit it, Peterson looks like the real deal. He looks like an All-Pro in the (very near) future. Thanks.
A: Greg Bedard - That's one talented young running back we all saw today. The Packers definitely had some problems staying in their running lanes. You give a guy like Peterson just a little opening, he's going to take advantage. Like Charles Woodson said after the game about Peterson, "That guy is a horse."
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Q: Ed of St. Petersburg Russia - Great game. I think we need to thank chilli for being so stupid to not keep AP in the game. Can the vikings do anything right? BTW thank god for directv and slingbox. Da Da Da La Da Go Pack Go
A: Greg Bedard - That was one atrocious Vikings team. I mean, the Packers just kept giving them opportunity after opportunity and they couldn't capitalize. Seriously, how does Adrian Peterson only get two carries in the second half?!?! That should be a fireable offense. I can tell you that the Vikings fans and players are making a lot out of some of the calls today. That's sore loser talk if you ask me.
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Q: Josh of Chicago, IL - How'd we do on the injury front? And why have Woodson back returning punts when the secondary is already so banged up?
A: Greg Bedard - After another big win, we'll start here with Josh's question. As a reminder, keep your questions and the windups to them short for the sake of everybody. I won't answer questions where I have to scroll forever just to get to them.....I talked to most of the injured guys and they're all fine. I did not talk to Al Harris and he was moving extremely slow. But he's a gamer, so I'm sure he'll be out there come Sunday night.
Q: Jonathan of Chicago - I'm have the same unease as others about the inability to run the ball, but I'm sure impressed at how when disaster strikes, or the game is on the line, or both, how this team just does what has to be done to close it up. It's uncanny, and I think calling it just luck would not be accurate.
A: Greg Bedard - Ding, ding, ding! Jonathan hit the nail on the head. Complain all you want about the weaknesses on this team -- and there are definitely some -- but this team makes up for it with grit and resiliency. That's what championship teams have more than any statistic you can throw out there.
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Q: Mike of Goshen, IN - Donald Lee appeared to be down on that fumble in the second quarter. Yet the replay showed his knee on top of Sharper's knee. Therefore he wasn't down and the fumble call was correct. In the blog, you say it wasn't a fumble. do you know the official rule? Was he down or not?
A: Greg Bedard - The TVs weren't in good positions in this press box, so I wasn't able to really study the play. But what I saw was Lee's knee being down. If it was on Sharpers' leg, then Lee was not down. I'm just telling you what I saw, but I'm not sitting right in front of a TV so I may have been wrong.
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Q: kwed of dubuque - Greg, If both teams had brett favre today, who wins?
A: Greg Bedard - Oooh, that's a really good question. I'd have to take the Packers because Mike McCarthy is head and shoulders better than Brad Childress.
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Q: Dennis Palzkill of Madison - Greg: Any explanation for the gift Brad Childress kept giving Packer fans by keeping Adrian Peterson on the sideline so much?
A: Greg Bedard - He didn't give a good one after the game, I can tell you that. I still can't believe that decision.
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Q: Andy Newbold of st. louis - Greg, As much as ive liked seeing Grant get in the mix this season . That fumble was huge today and it was obvious he made a high school mistake grabbing for the ball. Did he rotate himself out of the mix with that mistake when Jackson comes back from his "injury" next week?
A: Greg Bedard - No way. This coaching staff loves Grant.
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Q: John of Newport Beach, Ca - I think Bob McGinn deserves a lot of respect for having the guts, before the opener, to predict what all the pundits thought was absurd: GB passing the Bears and winning the NFC North. Did everyone on your staff think he was crazy? Its worth noting that at around the same time McGinn was writing that, Peter King was writing that McGinn was one of the best beat reporters in the country. Congratulations to the GBP and the Journal Sentinel for feilding a couple of terrific teams.
A: Greg Bedard - Bob is no doubt one of the best in the business. He's one of the reasons why I moved my family up here. I don't think anybody thought he was crazy... maybe I did when he wrote this week that the Packers should go at least 12-5 and could be 14-2. I think it's just that I've covered the AFC for so long. I've seen a lot more talented teams than this miss the playoffs altogether in the AFC. Obviously the NFC is not as good. I didn't realize the talent disparity is this wide, but it is.
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Q: scottyb460 of tucson arizona - what a great victory for the cheeseheads, greg, it seems the defense tends to get soft once they get a touchdown or more lead, do they go into an entirely different scheme or is it by design?
A: Greg Bedard - The calls aren't any different, so I think it's on the players. Maybe they're relaxing too much. But let's be honest here, the Packers held the Vikings without a touchdown until garbage time. You can't complain about that.
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Q: Jesse of Atlanta - Greg, I think the packers have uncovered a gem in Atari Bibgy. What an upgrade from last year. What is wrong with Nick Collins injury wise? Should he have been out there in the 2nd half?
A: Greg Bedard - Nick is one that I didn't see in the locker room, so he must have needed a lot of attention. I'd keep an eye on that one this week. Of course he should have been out there. If he can play, why not? I would be very scared to put Aaron Rouse, a rookie who hasn't even been active yet, on the field in a crucial situation. Collins obviously did fine.
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Q: Craig Danula of Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota - Another Win. Congratulations Brett! Do you think the Packers will consider giving Will Blackmon a shot at being the 3rd CB after another iffy week by Jarrett Bush? And why was Ryan Grant in at the end?
A: Greg Bedard - I think they should look at Blackmon again, but I don't know how much the coaching staff views his thumb as a liability. Obviously he dropped an INT today. But at least he was in position for one, compared to, say, Jarrett Bush. I'm sure the coaches felt most comfortable with Grant over Wynn or Morency. The bottom line is there shouldn't have been a handoff there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Michael of Los Angeles - Wow. Thompson actually showed some emotion? I didn't know he had it in him. But I guess if I'd been criticized nonstop for the past 3 years I'd get pretty excited about 4-0 too. Any grumblings from the Vikings side about the display?
A: Greg Bedard - I don't think so because like I said before, it's very, very loud in the press box. So it's really just a small area that would have heard him. Me and the rest of the JS team was right in front of the Packers' brass so it was a little annoying.
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Q: Mark of Green Bay - Nice to see Robert Ferguson is an integral part of the Viking offense! But, it looks as though he did get through the game uninjured! Is there a worse set of receivers in the NFL?
A: Greg Bedard - Wade and Rice have some nice skills. The problem is really with the guy getting them the ball, in this case Holcomb. Not very good today.
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Q: Jesse of Atlanta - Whew. Tough win. Aside from Jon Ryan's 4th down rush, special teams were not that special. I have a little problem with the way Morency is so loose with the ball. And Grant's mistake is inexcusable. Did any of the backs look like they played well to you?
A: Greg Bedard - Way too early to make a judgement on Morency. He hasn't played in a long, long time. The Vikings are the No. 2 team against the run. Nobody was going to do well today.
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Q: Scott Mitchell of Toronto, Ontario - Greg, They say it's better to be lucky than good, well, after seeing that game today, I can't help but thank muy lucky stars that Brad Childress never left Minneapolis for his interview in Green Bay. That coaching display was Infantesque. That Peterson left the game at all in the second half is simply mind-boggling. Your thoughts?
A: Greg Bedard - You read my mind. Childress isn't one of the smarter guys as far as game coaching. I mean, to challenge the spot of Jones' catch was just dumb. I know you were mad you couldn't challenge the Hall play (and while I think the call was ultimately right, the Vikings should have been able to challenge that play) don't let it get to you to the point that you cost your team a timeout.
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Q: James of Grand Forks, ND - Should Bush and Grant chip in and hire a moving van together on their way out of town, or will it be cheaper to hire one on their own? At least we hung on for the win, though.
A: Greg Bedard - That's much to rough on Grant, especially. I put the blame for Grant's fumble solely on McCarthy. Take a knee for crying out loud.
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Q: Ben Newton of Dallas, Texas - How do we rank against the Patriots, Colts, Cowboys, and Lions???? Are we for real without a running game???
A: Greg Bedard - I'm not sure yet. I need to let this game digest for a little bit before I can "crown" anybody in the words of Dennis Green. The Packers are good, no doubt. Very good. I can't wait for that matchup with Dallas, however.
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Q: Brendan of Eindhoven, Netherlands - Greg, I saw in your blog a comment about Ted Thompson cheering his team in the pressbox. I have to ask why he is sitting in the pressbox? I would expect that the opponent ownership/management would have access to their own box. You may have to remain unbiased, but I expect TT to have passion for this team.
A: Greg Bedard - That happens at some places, about half the time I would guess. Most of the time it isn't an issue because the press box is quiet behind glass. But at the Metrodome, the press box is open so we hear everything. I guess that got Teddy in the mood a little bit. But the bottom line is there are rules against cheering in the press box -- it's a place where work is being done -- and you can be kicked out for violating those rules. I don't mind the occasional, 'Oh man,' or "That was a foul," but out and out clapping and screaming is a big no, no. I'm guessing that the Vikes didn't make a box available and/or the Packers didn't want to pay for one. But they should be in a box, you're right about that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Rich of Slinger - Good win today. My question is: doesn't anyone spellcheck the player jerseys? Somebody in Green Bay misspelled "Toast" on the back of #24.
A: Greg Bedard - That's a good one. If not that, somebody needs to take the bullseye off Bush's back because he has a huge one on there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: James of Sacramento - Greg, was the porous run defense more a product of a stellar run-blocking effort and a stud rookie back or were the Packers over-matched today on the ground? I hate to admit it, Peterson looks like the real deal. He looks like an All-Pro in the (very near) future. Thanks.
A: Greg Bedard - That's one talented young running back we all saw today. The Packers definitely had some problems staying in their running lanes. You give a guy like Peterson just a little opening, he's going to take advantage. Like Charles Woodson said after the game about Peterson, "That guy is a horse."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Ed of St. Petersburg Russia - Great game. I think we need to thank chilli for being so stupid to not keep AP in the game. Can the vikings do anything right? BTW thank god for directv and slingbox. Da Da Da La Da Go Pack Go
A: Greg Bedard - That was one atrocious Vikings team. I mean, the Packers just kept giving them opportunity after opportunity and they couldn't capitalize. Seriously, how does Adrian Peterson only get two carries in the second half?!?! That should be a fireable offense. I can tell you that the Vikings fans and players are making a lot out of some of the calls today. That's sore loser talk if you ask me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Josh of Chicago, IL - How'd we do on the injury front? And why have Woodson back returning punts when the secondary is already so banged up?
A: Greg Bedard - After another big win, we'll start here with Josh's question. As a reminder, keep your questions and the windups to them short for the sake of everybody. I won't answer questions where I have to scroll forever just to get to them.....I talked to most of the injured guys and they're all fine. I did not talk to Al Harris and he was moving extremely slow. But he's a gamer, so I'm sure he'll be out there come Sunday night.